Native plants have evolved to thrive in local ecosystems over millennia, developing natural defenses against pests and diseases. They require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides than non-native species, making them an eco-friendly choice for gardeners.
They also play a crucial role in supporting local wildlife and providing food and habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects. By incorporating these well-adapted plants into our landscapes, we can create resilient, low-maintenance gardens that naturally suppress weed growth.
Here are 15 native plants that not only beautify our surroundings but also serve as effective, sustainable weed control agents, offering a win-win solution for both gardeners and the environment.
1. Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
Juniper is a low-growing evergreen that forms a dense mat, effectively smothering weeds. Its blue-green foliage provides year-round interest and thrives in sunny, well-drained areas.
This hardy plant is drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal maintenance.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or fall
- Space 3-4 feet apart
- Prefers full sun to partial shade
- Hardy in USDA zones 3-9
2. Monkey Grass (Liriope muscari)
This versatile perennial creates a lush, grass-like groundcover that chokes out weeds. Monkey grass tolerates a wide range of conditions and produces attractive purple flower spikes in late summer.
It’s an excellent choice for shady areas where other plants struggle.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or fall
- Space 12-18 inches apart
- Thrives in partial to full shade
- Hardy in USDA zones 4-10
3. Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica)
This native sedge forms a soft, fine-textured carpet that suppresses weeds effectively. It’s an excellent lawn alternative for shady areas and provides beautiful fall color. Pennsylvania sedge is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or fall
- Space 8-12 inches apart
- Prefers partial to full shade
- Hardy in USDA zones 3-8
4. Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina)
With its velvety silver foliage, lamb’s ears creates a dense groundcover that smothers weeds. This drought-tolerant perennial thrives in full sun and poor soil conditions. Its unique texture adds interest to rock gardens and borders.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed
- Space 12-18 inches apart
- Requires full sun
- Hardy in USDA zones 4-8
5. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
This aromatic groundcover forms a tight mat that effectively suppresses weeds. Creeping thyme produces tiny pink or purple flowers in summer, attracting pollinators.
It’s ideal for rock gardens, between pavers, or as a lawn alternative in low-traffic areas.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or early fall
- Space 6-12 inches apart
- Prefers full sun
- Hardy in USDA zones 4-9
6. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
Wild ginger is a shade-loving groundcover that creates a dense carpet, preventing weed growth. Its heart-shaped leaves provide attractive foliage throughout the growing season.
This low-maintenance plant is perfect for woodland gardens and shady borders.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or fall
- Space 12-18 inches apart
- Thrives in partial to full shade
- Hardy in USDA zones 4-7
7. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
This evergreen groundcover spreads to form a thick mat that suppresses weeds. Bearberry produces small pink flowers in spring and red berries in fall, attracting wildlife. It’s an excellent choice for poor, sandy soils and coastal areas.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or fall
- Space 2-3 feet apart
- Prefers full sun to partial shade
- Hardy in USDA zones 2-6
8. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
While not a groundcover, purple coneflower’s dense growth habit helps suppress weeds in perennial borders. This native wildflower attracts pollinators and provides long-lasting blooms. It’s drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or fall
- Space 18-24 inches apart
- Requires full sun
- Hardy in USDA zones 3-9
9. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
This cheerful native perennial forms dense clumps that help crowd out weeds. Black-eyed Susan produces abundant yellow flowers from summer to fall, attracting butterflies and birds. It’s adaptable to various soil conditions and is drought-tolerant.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring after frost danger has passed
- Space 18-24 inches apart
- Prefers full sun
- Hardy in USDA zones 3-9
10. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Switchgrass is a tall, native grass that forms dense clumps, effectively suppressing weeds. Its deep root system improves soil structure and prevents erosion. This versatile grass provides winter interest and habitat for wildlife.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or early summer
- Space 2-3 feet apart
- Thrives in full sun
- Hardy in USDA zones 4-9
11. New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
This late-blooming perennial forms bushy clumps that help control weeds. New England aster produces a profusion of purple flowers in fall, providing crucial late-season nectar for pollinators. It’s adaptable to various soil conditions.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or fall
- Space 18-24 inches apart
- Prefers full sun to partial shade
- Hardy in USDA zones 4-8
12. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Contrary to popular belief, goldenrod doesn’t cause allergies and is an excellent weed suppressor. Its dense growth habit and spreading nature help control weeds.
Goldenrod provides vibrant yellow blooms in late summer and fall, attracting beneficial insects.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or fall
- Space 18-24 inches apart
- Thrives in full sun to partial shade
- Hardy in USDA zones 3-9
13. Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
This native vine can be used as a groundcover to suppress weeds in challenging areas. Virginia creeper provides excellent fall color and berries for birds. It’s adaptable to various light conditions and soil types.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or fall
- Space 3-4 feet apart
- Tolerates full sun to full shade
- Hardy in USDA zones 3-9
14. Foam Flower (Tiarella cordifolia)
Foam flower is a shade-loving perennial that forms a dense groundcover, effectively suppressing weeds. Its delicate white flower spikes appear in spring, adding charm to woodland gardens.
This low-maintenance plant is deer-resistant and attracts pollinators.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or fall
- Space 12-18 inches apart
- Prefers partial to full shade
- Hardy in USDA zones 3-8
15. Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)
This native grass forms neat, fountain-like clumps that help control weeds. Prairie dropseed provides attractive foliage throughout the growing season and fragrant flowers in late summer. It’s drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or early summer
- Space 2-3 feet apart
- Requires full sun
- Hardy in USDA zones 3-9
Adding these native plants to your garden will reduce weed pressure and create a thriving ecosystem that supports local wildlife. The key to successful weed suppression is proper plant selection, spacing, and maintenance.
With a little patience and care, your garden will transform into a low-maintenance, weed-resistant oasis that celebrates the beauty of native flora.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.